The Government’s unworkable relationship with WINZ Boss Christine Rankin has cost taxpayers more than $25,000 in legal bills for lawyers’ advice to her over the recently released Hunn Report.

ACT Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today revealed that the total cost for all legal advice provided by the Crown Law Office to the Chief Executive of the Department of Work and Income in relation to the Hunn Report was $25,679.25 (including GST).

Dr Newman said the figure is a worrying reminder of the ongoing costs that taxpayers face while the Government and Christine Rankin continue to try to ignore their untenable working relationship.

“The Government will not only face the ongoing political embarrassment of not being able to act on its Opposition ‘tough talk’ about Ms Rankin. The reality of Steve Maharey’s Opposition attacks on Ms Rankin will be a pile of legal bills like this run up by both sides as they try to keep a lid on the explosive situation between Rankin, Maharey, Mallard and Helen Clark,” she said.

“The reality for WINZ is that the Department will not regain the confidence of the public while the Government and Christine Rankin pretend they can work together for another year,” said Muriel Newman.

ENDS

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